(No prolog)

 1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.  2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.  3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.  4 Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.  5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

 6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.  7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.  8 The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.  9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.  10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

 11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.  12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.  13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.  14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?  15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

 16 A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.  17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.  18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.  19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.  20 Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.  22 He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.  23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.  24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.